"I'm pleased and honoured that the Governing Board has selected me to become the new ETF director. I consider the ETF a unique agency because of its mandate and the partner countries it works with", Madlen Serban stated upon learning of the appointment.

She will take up her position at the ETF Headquarters in Turin over the summer. "I look forward to joining the colleagues at the ETF in Turin and to working with both the Commission and Parliament in a spirit of transparency and mutual trust, which will allow the agency to give added value from which not only the partner countries but also the Member States can benefit", Madlen Serban said. She will succeed Dr. Muriel Dunbar, whose mandate as Director comes to an end on 30 June 2009 and who has managed the ETF since 2004.

Madlen Serban, who is Romanian, has spent most her career working in the field of vocational education and training. She has broad international experience from her work as an expert and evaluator for international organisations such as the European Commission, UNESCO, and the ETF. Ms. Serban holds a PhD degree in Social Partnership in Education and Training from the University of Bucharest.

In line with the requirements of the EU regulation governing the ETF, the Governing Board reached its decision after interviewing candidates short listed by the European Commission. The meeting was chaired by Odile Quintin, European Commission Director General for Education and Culture.

The Board comprises one representative of each EU Member State plus representatives from the European Commission and three observers from the European Parliament. Before being appointed, the candidate selected by the Governing Board makes a statement before the Committee of Employment and Social Affairs at the European Parliament.